Dhenkanal / Man Dies After Accidentally Falling Into Well During Ganesh Idol Immersion in Dhenkanal District

Dhenkanal, Oct 5: A 28-year-old man died after allegedly falling into a well during Ganesh idol immersion in Radhanathapur village under Hindol police station limits in Odisha's Dhenkanal district, a source said on Monday.

The deceased has been identified as Jagannath Naik, a resident of Radhanathapur village.

According to the source, Jagannath fell into the well accidentally while taking part in the Ganesh idol immersion on Sunday. When he did not return home, his family members began searching for him.

The family resumed the search on Monday morning and found him inside the well. They immediately informed the Hindol Fire Services personnel.

A fire services team reached the spot and rescued Jagannath from the well before taking him to Hindol Sub-Divisional Hospital. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Following the incident, police reached the spot, registered an unnatural death case and seized the body for post-mortem examination.

Further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is underway.

Also Read: Ganesh Idol Immersions Claim 11 Lives in Odisha

It can be mentioned here that drowning is the leading cause of non-road accidental deaths in Odisha. Over the consecutive fiscal years of 2023-24 and 2024-25, as many as 3,860 people drowned across various water bodies, rivers, and waterfalls in the state. Districts like Baleshwar, Mayurbhanj, Sundaragada, Kendujhar, Ganjam, and Kataka are identified as major hotspots for drowning incidents.

Official statistics and public health research highlight that drowning has become a severe, silent crisis in Odisha, claiming more lives annually than major natural disasters like cyclones and floods combined.